precipitate

precipitate adj Precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, hasty, sudden as applied to persons or their acts or be-havior denote characterized by excessive haste and unexpectedness.

Precipitate especially stresses lack of due deliberation; sometimes it suggests prematureness and is therefore especially applicable to decisions or to actions based on decisions

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she was resolved to lose nothing by neglect or delay, but also she meant to do nothing precipitate—H. G. Wells

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Headlong throws the emphasis on rashness and lack of forethought; it is used to describe not only persons and their acts but the qualities exhibited by such persons or in such acts

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headlong folly

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headlong haste

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the headlong torrent of her feelings scared her— Wouk

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Abrupt when applied to actions suggests complete lack of warning or, sometimes, unceremoniousness

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an abrupt departure

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the story came to an abrupt end

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and when applied to manners or words, it usually implies curtness

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an abrupt refusal

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Impetuous implies violence or vehemence; as applied to persons, it often also suggests impulsiveness or, at times, extreme impatience

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no necessity exists for any hurry, except in the brain of that impetuous boy— Meredith

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they had been impetuous and daring, making up their minds in a couple of flashes— Farrell

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Hasty stresses quickness of response and often suggests thoughtlessness and hot temper rather than impulsiveness

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often hasty in her judgment of strangers— Dahl

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too passionate and hasty to keep pace with the deliberate steps of his leader— Philip Marsh

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Sudden is distinguishable from sudden meaning unexpected only by its added implications of extreme hastiness or impetuosity

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given to sudden rages

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now and then an access of. . . sudden fury . . . would lay hold on a man or woman— Kipling

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Analogous words: headstrong, willful, refractory (see UNRULY)

Antonyms: deliberate

Contrasted words: leisurely, *slow